Keep kids moving

Thousands of Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity is the most common factor among illnesses that many Americans suffer from today. Childhood obesity is on the rise yet due to budget cuts and our current economy, physical education and/or recess has been cut from the public school system.

When you visit your doctor, one of the first questions they ask you is "Do you exercise, and for how long." The recommended amount of exercise for an adult is 30 minutes three to four times a week, so why not for our children?

The health of our children is of the most importance because it creates a learning boost and gives the children a break so that they can focus in the classroom. Unstructured play teaches kids how to play in groups, how to play nice, how to act socially, and overall they behave better because they have burned off some built-up energy.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008, 60 minutes of daily unstructured play is essential to children's mental and physical health. Play is just as important as academics because it is not only physical but also mental. For example, if you are playing football you need to use problem-solving skills to maneuver the field to avoid being tackled. So play cannot only benefit children physically but it is essential in their development and this is why it needs to be brought back to our schools.